Translating device



Dec.21,1948. RGNEUQAU 2 456,12

TRANSLATING DEVICE Filed June 12, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Dec. 21., 1948 i'l'ED s TRAN SLATING DEVICE Robert G. Neuhaus, Chicago, 111., asslgnor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation oi Delaware 9 Claims.

This invention relates to a code translator for translating signals from one telegraph code to another and more particularly to a translator having mechanisms for automatically operating certain key levers of a Wheatstone perforator.

In a translating system wherein signal code permutations of the Baudot code are automatically translated into signals representative of the cable Morse code, a tape controlled five unit selector has, in a former arrangement, been combined with a Wheatstone perforator as exemplified by the patent of E. A. Gubisch, No. 2,354,115, dated July 18, 1944.

In ordinary manual operation of a Wheatstone perforator for perforating some so called combination characters in the cable Morse code, a combination key is depressed by an operator and held depressed while other keys forming the component parts of the combination are operated. The depression of the combination key is effective to preclude the usual spacing of the tape with feed holes between characters. I

For perforating other combination characters, instead of resorting to the use of the combination key, special keys are provided which when operated result in the punching of the component parts of the complete combination simultaneously. In the present invention such a special key is used for the double dash or BT combination, which indicates a break or pause in transmission, with more of the message to follow. The use of special keys for perforating combination characters may vary with operating requirements depending on the frequency of use of certain combination. characters in particular types of transmission. As an example, for one system a special key for the period code combination would be desirable while in another system it would be more desirable to provide a special key for the ampersand (8:).

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a code translator wherein particular selectable elements associated with a unit used for one type of code are automatically operated in response to special signal code permutations afforded by another type of code.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism in a translator, responsive to a special signal code permutation of the Baudot code for automatically operating the combination key lever of a Wheatstone perforator and further responsive to another special signal code permutation for releasing the combination key lever to its unoperated position.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism for automatically op-' erating a special key lever of a Wheatstone perforator in response to the receipt of a certain sequence of signal code permutations.

In. the instant invention the operation of the combination key lever is automatically accomplished by the selection of a code lever in response to the blank signal code permutation which controls the movement of a two part slidable link, the upper part of which has a hooked extension overlying the combination. key lever. The upper part of the slidable link is articulated to the lower part thereof by a pin and slot connection, a retractile spring being mounted between the parts. As the combination key code lever operates or is pulled downward, it draws the lower part of the link downward distending the spring, since the upper part of the link is prevented from full operation at this time due to the fact that the tape feed pawl engages the feed ratchet in a position to block movement of a lever operable by a rod controlled from the rear end of the combination key lever. When the lower part of the slidable link is drawn downward it becomes latched and remains so until the combination character is completed. When the first character of a particular combination character is received another code lever is selected, causing the feed pawl to move away from the feed ratchet, allowing the combination key lever to move to its fully operated position under the infiuence of the distended spring. The lever con.- trolled by the rod from the combination key lever now moves to a position to block the feed pawl from spacing the tape with feed holes between characters.

Adjacent to the slidable link lever is a standard link which controls the operation of the space bar of the Wheatstone perforator in the usual manner under the control of a space code lever. At the termination of a combination character a space signal is transmitted which selects the space code lever for operation. At this time a link near the-combination key lever is pulled downward actuating the space bar. In the lower part of the space bar actuating link is positioned a stud which is attached to a special slidable link having a shoulder which engages the previously described latch as the special slidable link is moved downward by the space bar link to thereby unlatch the combination key lever to return it to its unoperated position.

As hereinbefore explained for some combination characters a special key is provided, as in the present invention a special key is provided for the double dash or BT combination character which is operable only upon the sequential receipt of the carriage return and the line feed signals in. the letters position of the five unit selector mechanism. The shift from letters to figures and vice versa in the selector controlling the Wheatstone perforator is accomplished by means of aisixth code bar which increases the possible number of code permutations, a feature which is well known in the art. Receipt of the carriage return signal with the sixth code bar in its letters position enables the carriage return code lever to operate a linkage system which withdraws the extremity of a blocking arm from beneath the line feed code lever and becomes latched up. If the line feed signal code combination immediately follows the carriage return signal the line feed code lever will operate to cause actuation of the double dash key lever. Since the linkage system is under the control of the cam which through the instrumentality of a follower acts to release the linkage in each cycle of the operation unless the line feed signal combination is received in the proper sequence the blocking arm will have again assumed its blocking position with respect to the line feed code lever.

The invention may be more readily comprehended by reference to the following description when read in connection with the drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view with portions broken away to illustrate the main features of the invention;

Fig. 2 isa detail view in perspective showing the mechanism for operating the combination key lever;

Fig. 3 is a front end elevatlonal view with portions broken away to illustrate particularly operaton of the double dash key lever;

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the mechanism for operat'ng the combination key lever;

Fig. 5 is a detail right side elevational view of the cam control mechanism used in connection Wih operation of the double dash key lever; and

Fig. 6 is a detail view of a portion of the tape feeding mechanism of the perforator.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1, 2, and 4 the invention will be described in more detail. Numeral II represents a standard Wheatstone perforator similar to the perforator disclosed in the patent of E. E. Kleinschmidt, No. 1,085,985, dated February 3, 1914 and includes a base cast- I ing I2, which is designed to be detachably associated with the frame l3 of a selection transfer mechanism illustrated generally as l4. Inplacing the perforator II on the frame I3 of the selection transfer mechanism l4, the perforator is first positioned to the rear portion of the frame l3 and then slid forwardly as is more completely described in the patent of E. A. Gubisch, No. 2,354,115, dated July 18, 1944. Forward movement of the perforator Ii enables the free bifurcated ends of a series of pivoted code levers i5 to engage studs l6 of a series of vertical movable links H mounted in a slotted channel shaped guide bracket l suitably attached to the front part of the perforator ii beneath the keyboard. The upper portion of the links [1 are hook shaped and carry small anti-friction rollers i8 which overlie the key levers of the perforator. Code levers l are under the control of a series of five code bars l9 and a sixth code shift bar 2|, the purpose of which is to increase the possible number of permutations by providing a letters and figures position for the selector mechanism. The position of code bars l9 and code bar 21 are governed by a tape sensing device, not shown in the present invention, but clearly disclosed in the patent to Gubisch referred to above. The tape sensing device is of the well known five unit Baudot variety and controls the positions of the five code bars l9 and the sixth code shift bar 2|. When a particular code lever I5 is free to move downward, depending on the positions of the five code bars i9 and shift code bar 2!, under the influence of an associated spring 22, the free end of the code lever bears against stud iii of an associated link II which by means of its roller i8 pulls the selected key lever downward to operate the Wheatstone perforator II in the usual manner.

At the left end of the lower row of keys of the Wheatstone perforator keyboard is located a combination key 23 attached in the usual manner to a combination key lever 24. The combination key lever 24 is under the control of a code lever 25 which is permissively allowed to move downward by an associated spring 22 in response to receipt by the selector of the blank signal code combination in the same manner as normal code levers ii. In this case, however, instead of the usual link H, a two part-slidable link 20 is provided which includes an upper part 26 and a lower part 21, best illustrated in Fig. 2, which are slidably connected together by riveted pins 28 and 29, designed respectively to move in slot 3| of the upper part 28 and in slot 32 of the lower part 21 of link 20. The lower part 21 of the link 20 is offset with respect to the upper part 26 by means of the bent portion provided at 33. Upper part 26 has an extension 34 to which is fastened one end of a retractile spring 35, the other end of which is connected to extension 36 of the lower part 21.

As code lever 25 moves downward,-at its free bifurcated end it engages bent over flange 31 of the lower part 21 of link 20 to thereby pull lower part 21 downward, distending the retractile spring 35, since upper part 26 is prevented from moving at this time, as will hereinafter appear. When the lower part 21 of link 20 moves downward it becomes latched by means of pivoted latch 38, shown partially in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2, the shoulder 39 of which engages the rearwardly extending projection 4| of the lower part 21, due to the clockwise force exerted on latch 38 by a spring 42, which moves the latch about its pivot 30. As spring 35 distends, it exertsa very slight downward pull on the combination key lever 24, by means of roller 43 mounted on the upper part 26 of the link 20. A very slight movement of the key lever is permitted due to thefact that a vertically extending feed control rod 44 mounted by means of a bracket 9| to the rear of a bar 94 moves upward slightly. When the combination key lever 24 is urged downwardly by the roller 43 the combination key lever 24 pivots slightly clockwise (Fig. 6) about a pivot rod 92. The combination key lever 24, when moved pivotally in this manner, engages a lug $3 on the bar 94 and pivots the bar 94 slightly clockwise about a pivot bar 95. This slight pivotal movementof the bar 94 causes the feed control rod 44 to be raised until the upper extremity thereof engages a lever 45 normally urged in a clockwise direction by means of a compression spring 46. At this time, however, tape feed pawl 41 is in engagement with a tooth of ratchet 48 and is positioned against an adjustable stop 46, blocking counterclockwise pivotal movement of lever 45. When the key lever corresponding to the first character of the combination key character is selected for operation, feed pawl 41 will move away from the adjustable stop 49 and enable rod 44 to move fully upward to place lever 45 in front of the adjustable stop 49, as shown in Fig. 6. Code lever 25 which acts upon flange 31 of link 28 is substantially the same as other normal code levers i5, except that the lower end thereof is slightly offset so that when code lever bail, not shown, acts to reset the code lever in its upward position after it has been selected, upward movement of the code lever 25 will not interfere with flange 31 of link 20.

When the first character key lever of a particular combination character is received, feed pawl 41 moves away from stop 49, as previously described, and the energy stored in the distended spring now causes the upper part 26 of link 20 to actuate key lever 24 to its fully operated position which through the control rod 44 moves lever 45 in a position adjacent to adjustable stop 49 as indicated above to cause pawl 41 to feed the tape one space less than the usual space in its next forward movement to thus preclude the usual spacing of the tape with feed holes between characters. For a more complete description of the tape feed mechanism per se, reference should be had to the Kleinschmidt patent mentioned above.

After the characters which make up the combination character have been perforated in the tape by selection of predetermined code levers I 5 and actuation of associated key levers by means of links I1, the space signal code combination is set up in the code transfer selector mechanism l4 and the space code lever l5 second from the left end of the series of selector code bars is pulled down in the usual manner, thereby causing its associated link H by means of roller i8 to operate the space bar lever 52. The space bar lever 52 is attached to the space bar 53 positioned across the front of the keyboard.

As the spacer bar lever 52 moves downwardly it strikes a stud attached to the upper portion of a special link 54 which is mounted on the extreme left end of the guide bracket 10 and normally urged to its upward position by spring 55. It should be noted therefore, that the link shown on the extreme left is special link 54, that the adjacent link is a normal space bar link l1 and the third link from the left is the two part link 20. In its descent, link 54 by means of its shoulder 56 engages a shoulder 51 of latch 38 to tilt the latch in a counterclockwise direction, thereby releasing the lower part 21 of link 20 to its upward position and freeing the combination key lever to its unoperated position. As the combination key lever moves to its unoperated position control rod 44 will descend allowing compression spring 46 to move lever 45 in a clockwise direction out of the path of feed pawl 41. This preceding operation occurs prior to the return of the feed pawl 41 towards the adjustable stop 49 so that upon receipt of the space signal code combination the tape will be fed with the usual feed hole after the combination character.

The portion of the invention which deals with the operation of the double dash key lever 6| will now be described. Operation of the double dash key lever 6| is accomplished only when the sixth code bar 2| is in its letters position upon the sequential receipt of the carriage return and line feed signals. The carriage return code lever,

which in this case is not connected with a link-l? and is operable only in the letters position of the selector, is indicated at 62. Code lever 62 is the same as normal code levers !5 except that it carries an extending portion 63 which overlies a vertically slidable link 64 movable on bolt 65 through its engagement in slot 66 thereof. Link 64 is pivotally mounted at 6'! to the horizontally extending arm 68 of a bell crank 59 pivoted at H and normally urged in a clockwise direction by spring l2.

When code lever 62 is selected in response to receipt of the carriage return signal in the letters position, it moves downward, engaging link 64 and pivoting bell crank 69 in a counterclockwise direction. At this time, the free end of arm 68 of bell crank 69 moves downward in the guide slot 13 of a bracket 14 suitably attached to a fixed part of the machine and becomes latched up on the shoulder 15 (Fig. 3) of a vertically extending arm 16 of a bell crank latching lever 11 which is pivoted at 18 and normally urged in a counterclpckwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5, by means of spring 19. The counterclockwise influence exerted by spring 19 enables rearwardly extending arm 8| of bell crank 11, at its follower surface 82, to maintain contact with the periphery of a cam 83, driven in each cycle of operation by a conventional single revolution clutch, not shown. As the carriage return code lever 62 descended upon its selection, high part 84 of cam 83 pivoted the bell crank 11 in a clockwise or unlatching direction as viewed in Fig. 5. Since, however, link 64 is at this time urging bell crank 69 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, the unlatching operation in this cycle is ineffective and bell crank 11, at its follower82, rides off the high part of cam 82 and pivots once more in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5 under the influence of spring 19, latching up bell crank 68 as explained.

If the line feed signal is immediately received after the carriage return signal, the double dash code lever descends upon receipt of such signal, under the influence of its associated spring 22, since the upper end of vertically extending blocking arm 86 of bell crank 69 is now out of the path of projection 81 of the double dash code lever 85. When the code lever 85 moves downward, high part 84 of cam 83 again operates bell crank 11 and bell crank 69 becomes unlatched but as this occurs, blocking arm 86 of bell crank 69 moves against the left side of code lever 85 which is now in its path. The code lever 85 at this time, by means of its associated link l1, operates the double dash key lever 6|, thereby perforating the double dash code in the tape. When the code lever 85 is returned upwardly by the code lever bail, not shown, it moves out of the path of blocking arm 86 of bell crank 69 which now assumes its normal blocking position beneath code lever 85. From the above description, it is obvious that if the line feed signal does not immediately follow the carriage return signal, lever 85 may not be selected since high part 84 of cam 83 will act to unlatch bell crank 69 in each cycle of operation.

Various changes and modifications may be made in the instant invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. While the invention has been described in connection with particular signal code combinations the invention should not be limited thereby, since it is evident that other signal code combinations could be substituted.

What is claimed is:

1. A telegraph signal code translator including a perforator having a special key lever, a signal responsive means for initiating operation of said key lever, a plurality of normally operating key levers each controlled by individual signal responsive means, and means controlled by said first mentioned signal responsive means and eficctivr: upon operation of one of said normally operating key levers for causing full operation of said special key lever.

2. A telegraph signal code translator including a perforator having a. special key lever, a signal responsive means for initiatingoperation of said key lever, a plurality of normally operating key levers each controlled by individual signal responsive means, and power storage means controlled by said first mentioned signal responsive means for effecting full operation of said special key lever upon operation of one of said normally operating key levers.

3. In a telegraph signal code translator, a perforator having a tape feeding means, for normally spacing tape with feed holes between characters, a special key lever for precluding the feeding of tape with feed holes between characters, and a signal responsive means for controlling the operation of said special key lever.

4. In a code translator including a perforator and, a selector for controlling said perforator, a key lever associated with said perforator, an operating means for said key lever including a power storage device, a code lever selectable by said selector in response to a predetermined signal code combination for initiating the operation of said operating means, means operable by said selector upon receipt of another signal code combination to operate said power storage device to thereby cause full operation of said key lever, and further means operable by said selector in response to the receipt of a second predetermined signal code combination for releasing said operating means to thereby return said key lever to unoperated position.

5. A telegraph signal code translator including a perforator having a special key lever, signal responsive means for initiating the operation of for initiating operation of said key lever, a plurality of normally operating key levers each controlled by individual signal responsive means, power storage means controlled by said first mentioned signal responsive means for eflecting full operation of said key lever upon operation of one of said normally operating key levers, a signal responsive space bar, and means controlled by said space bar for releasing said special key lever to its unoperated position.

7. A telegraph signal code translator including a perforator having a selector and a special op-- erating lever, means normally blocking operation of said special lever and means responsive to the receipt of a predetermined sequence of code combinations by said selector for operating said first means to enable operation of said special operating lever.

8. A telegraph signal code translator including a perforator having a selector and a special operating lever, a blocking arm for normally preventing operation of said special operating lever, and means controlled by said selector in response to the receipt of a predetermined sequence of code combinations for operating said blocking arm to enable operation of said special operating lever.

9. A telegraph signal code translator including a perforator having a selector and a special operating lever, blocking means for normally preventing operation of said special lever, means controlled by said selector in response to receipt of a predetermined code combination by said selector for enabling the operation of said special lever only upon the sequential receipt of a second predetermined code combination by said selector.

ROBERT G. NEUHAUS.

No references cited. 

